World Series Champs

People that really know me realize how tough this next article will be for me to write. It is not that I am a Yankees hater, but I am not exactly a fan of their fanbase.

That will be another article, on another date. Right now, I want to congratulate the New York Yankees on their World Series victory.

There is a certain level of congratulating with this roster and personnel of Yankees though. I will point them out right now.

Congrats to:

Phil Coke, Brett Gardner, David Robertson, Alfredo Aceves, Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Robinson Cano for being mostly homegrown young Yankees that got their first taste of being a champion.

Brian Bruney, for not being punched out by someone on the field this season.

Chad Gaudin and Jerry Hairston, for being the type of pickups the Yankees would of made in the 98-00 Era.

Jose Molina, for becoming the last of the trio of catching brothers to get a ring.

Damaso Marte, for saving his only quality pitching with the Yankees since last July, in the ALCS and World Series.

Eric Hinske, for getting even with the Phillies in the World Series the very next year.

Nick Swisher, for coming in and loosening up a clubhouse that was in much need of exactly that.

CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and AJ Burnett, for living up to the 400 million in contracts they received, and winning in Year One.

Johnny Damon, for the moment that I thought won the World Series. That was one of the best 4-5 at bats I ever seen. Even better than Shawn Dunston's dozen pitch single to lead off the Robin Ventura Grand-Single game. Then coming up with a clutch, hustle play that is usually reserved for Derek Jeter in Yankee folklore.

Hideki Matsui, for abusing Phillies pitching and winning Game 6 by himself in what might be his Yankee swan song.

Alex Rodriguez, for getting that monkey off his back. He is now offically, a real Yankee.

Brian Cashman, for being able to tell Randy Levine where to go now.

Joe Girardi, for being able to get out of that shadow that was Joe Torre.

George Steinbrenner, for one more moment of glory before riding in the the sunset. The best owner sports might of ever seen.

Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, for showing their father that his baby in his in very good hands for a long time.

But, most of all, these four:

Congrats to Jorge Posada, who has gone from a rookie that rarely played for his first ring, and coming full circle as the unoffical Team Captain for his 5th ring.

To Andy Pettitte, for being a slightly lesser verison of Whitey Ford in this era of pinstripes. He might of left for three seasons, but he was always a Yankee. I still feel that the game that really cemented the first dynasty was Pettitte's 1-0 gem against John Smoltz in 96 at 24 years old. This Game 6, on 3 days rest at the now rugged age of 37, might of been the game that catapaulted the Yanks into their next one.

To Mariano Rivera, for being the Grim Reaper to an opposing team at the end of the game. No pitcher ever has put the fear of God into an opponent in the playoffs like you.

And finally, to Derek Jeter, for enchancing your mythical being in Yankee history. Of all the great players and future Hall of Famers on this team (At least 3, Minimum), Jeter is the one that stands out. He is the closest thing to what Mantle, Mays, Snider were in the eyes of how my father and his generation saw ballplayers. They were heroes. Icons. Jeter has that feel to him, and it is the only player in baseball today that comes close to that.